A distance education course provider should consider seeking AQC status for their courses for several compelling reasons:
Quality Assurance
AQC status signifies that the provider’s courses meet criteria established by distance education experts.
Credibility and Recognition
Achieving AQC status enhances the provider’s reputation, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in distance education. This recognition can attract more students and partners.
Continuous Improvement
The AQC review process provides valuable feedback for enhancing online curriculum and instructional methods, helping providers to continuously improve their offerings.
Market Differentiation
AQC status can set an online course provider apart from competitors in a crowded online education market.
Alignment with Best Practices
Obtaining AQC status helps providers align their courses with best practices in distance education, ensuring that they stay current with industry standards and trends.
Process for a New Provider
Initial Application
The provider submits the application, background information, a detailed list of courses, and the application fee.
Application Fee: $1,000
Due at the time of course submission
Application Fee: $1,000
Due at the time of course submission
Course Submission
The provider submits courses for review, along with the course review fee within 30 days of receipt of the acceptance letter.
Course Review Fee: $1,500 / course
Due at the time of course submission
Course Review Fee: $1,500 / course
Due at the time of course submission
Curriculum Revisions
The provider makes changes to meet quality standards and returns the curriculum to AQC.
Follow-Up Review: $500 per course (if required)
AQC will invoice the provider
Follow-Up Review: $500 per course (if required)
AQC will invoice the provider
Initial Application Review
AQC staff in collaboration with the AQC Committee on Academic Review considers the application materials. If the provider is a good fit for AQC review, the AQC staff selects sample courses and sends an acceptance letter to the provider.
Course Review
The reviewers have 60 days to evaluate the curriculum and return it to AQC. AQC staff sends completed reviews to the provider for a response to any determination that quality standards are not met.
Follow-Up Assessment
Within 30 days, providers receive formal notification of whether AQC status is granted. AQC staff adds the list of approved courses to the AQC website.
